Electric organ



ELECTRIC ORGAN Filed Jan. 27, 1936 3 Sheets-Shet 1 It i Q & 171061775!" N 3 w E :6) a Woman/76 0077790 R. GUENTH ER ELECTRIC ORGAN Aug. 10, 1937.

Filed Jan. 27, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 1706/7761 Pavia/m 6 08/77/76" R. GUENTH ER ELECTRIC ORGAN Aug. 10, 1937.

Filed Jan. 27, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 BR MN IJJ JJ A )wmto h? Patented Aug. 10, 193? UNITED STATE TENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

My invention relates to pipe organs in which actual pipes, tubes, and reeds are used to produce the musical sounds, and in this respect is to be distinguished from certain modifications of elec- 5 tric organs in which radio tubes and loud speakers are used for the production of musical notes in place of the conventional organ pipes. the other hand the invention, while concerned with electric organs having actual pipes, etc., is not concerned with, but is to be distinguished from, the conventional electric pneumatic pipe organ in which air under pressure is forced into the organ pipes to produce the desired vibrations and tones. In short, in this invention, the vibrations of the air in the pipes are caused by electric impulses acting upon diaphragms in sound boxes connected with the pipes, and one of the purposes of the present invention is to eliminate the necessity for pneumatic apparatus, wind chests, etc., in an organ in which organ pipes are used for the production of tones.

While, in an ordinary electric pneumatic pipe organ, the structure, shape and size of each pipe largely determine the quality of tone produced by the pipe,and thus the difierent kinds of tone qualities, or sound effects, are dependent upon the number of different kinds of pipes employed, and, in smaller organs, are considerably restricted because of the necessity of limiting the number of pipes,I have discovered that musical sounds may be produced thru the medium of organ pipes in which are provided electrically vibrated diaphragms, and the variations in the vibrations of these diaphragms will produce not only notes of different pitch in the pipe, but also notes of the same pitch but of diiferent qualities. By my invention, I am thus able to use a single pipe in an organ for producing several notes, either of difierent pitches within a limited range of pitch, or of diilerent qualities, and thus make possible greater varieties of tone qualities with a smaller number of pipes.

Due to the fact that tone qualities are aifected by sympathetic vibrations and overtones, I discovered that it is possiple, by "mixing or combining electric impulses produced from independent sources, to obtain multiple vibrations of an electrically vibrated diaphragm, connected with an organ pipe, and in that way to, produce the fundamental and overtones required for particular tone colorlngs or eifects. Furthermore, by such mixing" or combining of selected electric impulses muchtruer reproductionsof tone qualities can be obtained thru an organ pipe than would otherwise be possible. For example, if it is desired to reproduce an oboe quality of tone in an organ pipe, it is customary to use a pipe of a particular shape, which produces a note having somewhat the same quality as the oboe. However, by selection of proper fundamental and overtone vibrations, obtained by means of electric impulses transmitted from separate sources, I am able to reproduce the oboe quality much more accurately. Furthermore, changes in the combinations or blending of fundamental overtones thru said mixing of electric impulses make possible innumerable shades and grades of tonal eflects not capable of reproduction by the usual means employed in pipe organs.

Therefore, one particular object of my invention is to provide a pipe organ in which more accurate reproductions of tone qualities and a greater variety of shadings of quality are rendered possible than heretofore by producing predetermined variations of the vibrations of electrically actuated diaphragms in the pipes.

A further object of my invention is to provide suitable and practical means for producing the initial electric impulses or oscillations to be utilized to bring about the various desired vibrations in diaphragms connected with organ pipes,

A further, and most important object of my invention is to provide practical means of mixing or combining the initial electrical oscillations from independent selected sources and transmitting these to the diaphragm in order that the effect of the combined, selected oscillations will be caused to impart to the diaphragm the particular gradations of vibrations desired. This most important object I attain by providing a series of transformers, which I designate as harmonic transformers, each harmonic transformer consisting of one or more primary coils which are connected to individual sources of initial electrical oscil1ations,such primary coils being arranged in various combinations, and

secondaries of which harmonic transformerscan be connected thru suitable switch mechanism to the means by which the diaphragm connected with the organ pipes are caused to be vibrated.

The above described objects and incidental features of my invention I attain by devices hereinafter fully described by me with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic drawing of the set-up of my invention and illustrates its method of operation;

Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic drawings of the means for producing the initial electrical impulses or oscillations which are used in causing the vibrations resulting in the desired musical tones;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a resonator with attached organ pipe thru which the tone vibrations are emitted;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but with the resonator shown in section and illustrating, more or less diagrammatically, the construction and operation of the diaphragm and movable coil within the resonator;

Fig. 5a illustrates a modification in the manner of connecting the organ pipes and resonators of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic drawing of a modification of my invention; and

Fig. 6a is a sectional view taken longitudinally showing a portion of a draw-knob switch control and variable resistance control for use in my invention.

Referring first to Figs. 4 and 5, a indicates an organ pipe of any conventional shape and construction as used in familiar types of pneumatic pipe organs. The organ pipe a is attached to the cover (12 of a resonator a, which resonator comprises a hollow box of wood, fiber, aluminum, or other suitable material,-preferably a material which is a non-conductor of electricity,--within which box is mounted a diaphragm a3 connected at the center to a movable coil a l. A stationary field coil is indicated by a5 and comprises an iron core mounted on a base a of the same metal, which is preferably extended up along the inside walls of the resonator, and also preferably has lateral arms a6 attached at the top, the said arms terminating near the movable coil al. The movable coil (14 shown in Fig. 5 has been made in the form of a cap adapted to be moved over the central core of the stationary field coil a5, and between the ends of the lateral arms a6. The wiring a! of the field coil is connected to some outside source of direct current a9. The wire a8 01. the movable coil a4 is connected to a transformer by means of which induced electrical impulses operate to cause vibration of the movable coil and diaphragm in a manner to be described later. The exact shape and construction of the movable and stationary coils may, of course, be considerably varied, and the construction which I have indicated is to be considered as merely illustrative. It would also be possible to substitute a permanent magnet for the stationary field coil.

The idea of producing sounds by electrically vibrated diaphragms is old. But I believe my invention is the first practical application of electrically vibrated diaphragms in connection with conventional organ pipes. The quality of tone produced thru the combination of my resonator, with the electrically vibrated diaphragm and a conventional organ pipe, is determined by the size, shape and construction of the organ pipe itself (as is true in the case of pneumatic types of pipe organs), and by the quality or character of the vibrations imparted to and by the diaphragm. Further, it will be apparent that the size of diaphragm and resonator and the strength of the coils also influence the type of tone produced. The possibilities for variations in tone qualities thru the use of variously shaped and variously constructed pipes in pipe organs oi ordinary types are well known to anyone familiar with the art and need not be described here. Fair imitations of brass, wood-wind, and stringed instruments, as well as many modifications oi the more commonly recognized organ tones are obtained in modern pneumatic pipe organs with numbers of differently shaped and difierently constructed pipes, including round pipes, square pipes, metal pipes, wooden pipes, closed pipes, open pipes, etc. Any pipes suitable for use in a pneumatic pipe organ may be used in my invention and attached to resonators such as I have indicated. In Fig. 1 are diagrammatically indi cated'a few of the well known types of organ pipes.

Referring now to Fig. 1, g, g2 to gliindicate various organ pipes designed for producing certain qualities of tone, each pipe being attached to a resonator gl l. Each resonator gll contains a stationary field coil, the terminals of which are indicated by gl2, and a diaphragm and movable coil, the terminals of the movable coil being indicated at gl3. The movable coil is connected to the secondary all of a transformer gl5.

The initial electrical oscillations which are transformed into certain predetermined electric impulses, causing the actuation of the diaphragms to produce the desired vibrations in the organ pipes, are obtained from rotating elements which are indicated diagrammatically by ii, iii to hi. The construction and manner of operation of these elements are shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, and consequently I refer at this point to Figs. 2 and 3.

In Fig. 2 it indicates a rotating element having a disk of fiber or other suitable material rigidly attached to a shaft 7' and having an iron ring it mounted on the disk, the outer periphery of which iron ring is made with a number of equal size and equally spaced radial iron poles or cores is wound serially and in the same manner with the wire k2, and thus constituting a plurality of electromagnets. The ends of the wire it! are attached to rings k3 and kl of suitable conducting material mounted on the disk h but insulated from each other. Brushes k5 and k bear on the rings k3 and M, respectively, and the said brushes are connected to a source of direct current, indicated at kl2, thru the conductors It! and M. The iron ring k on the periphery of disk h is also made with stub radial projections 709 between the wound poles k, these stub projections k9 constituting opposite poles to the extremities of the wound poles k.

Stationary secondary coils are indicated in Fig. 2 by kl 0. It is apparent that as the disk h rotates the revolving primary coils k, excited by direct current, will cause oscillations thru the stationary coils klfl in accordance with Lenzs law. The rapidity of these oscillations will depend upon the speed with which the disk It is rotated, and upon the number of primary coils mounted on its periphery. The rapidity of these oscillations determines the pitch of a tone ultimately produced in my electric organ. The number of stationary secondary coils kl I! does not affect the rapidity of the oscillations, but increasing the number of such stationary secondary coils kl!) will increase the strength of the oscillations induced in the secondary coils.

Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically a convenient mechanical set-up for the operation of a number of rotating elements such as that described with reference to Fig. 2. The rotating elements, indicated by h, m, m, m2, m3, m4, m5 and all similar to that shown in Fig. 2 are rigidly mounted on the same shaft 1'. The shai't 1' is driven at uniform speed by any convenient means, such as a belt connecting the pulley jl with an electric syndescribed, producing oscillations suitable for a chronous motor (not shown). kIO, m6, m! to mil represent the stationary secondary coils of the primary coils carried by disks h, m, m to m5, respectively. Since these rotating elements are all mounted on the same shaft 7', and all rotate with the same uniform speed, each would produce the same frequency of oscillations in its secondary stationary coils (that is to say would produce an ultimate note of the same pitch in my electric organ) provided each rotating element had the same number of primary coils mounted on its perimeter. By increasing the number of primary coils of these rotating elements in geometrical progression (for instance, making the element h with two coils, element 111. with four coils, element m with eight coils, etc.) thus increasing the rapidity of oscillations by geometrical progres-' sion, element m will be caused to produce an ultimate note an octave higher than element h, element m a note two octaves higher than element h, etc. As a preferential arrangement of such elements in my invention, I provide 12 sets of elements similar to the set shown in Fig. 3 mounted on shafts driven at different speeds, representing the 12 half tones between an octave. With 7 rotating elements in each set, as shown in Fig. 3, a range of 7 octaves or a total of 84 different pitches are obtained. By adding more rotating elements to each set a greater range would be obtained.

Returning now to Fig. 1, let it be assumed that h designates a rotating element of the kind just fundamental note of certain pitch, for example middle C; and M to M5 designate elements producing certain related oscillations suitable for notes harmonically associated with C, such notes as E, G, C an octave above, and so on, which notes would be present as overtones if certain qualities of tone of the note of middle C pitch were produced. Since variations in over-tones vary the nature and quality of the composite tone produced, an accurate reproduction of a note of certain quality necessitates reproduction of the over-tones which are combined in that particular quality.

The secondary stationary coils for the primary coils of rotating elements h to hfi are indicated by n to 11.6, which secondary coils are connected thru the medium of bus lines o to primary coils p to 116 of a number of transformers p, which I designate, as my harmonic transformers and which constitute a very important element of my invention. The secondary coils q of the harmonic transformers p are connected by means of switch board 1'-the switches r of which are operated by stops, etc., located adjacent to the organ keyboard, to the primaries glB of the transformers gli previously referred to. When a switch 1'' on the switchboard r is thrown in, the circuit to the particular primary coil 916 connected thereby is closed by the pressing down of the key s of the organ (which for this description is assumed to indicate the middle C key in a row of keys of the organ). When such circuit is closed, the impulses conveyed thru the medium of the particular transformer gl5, and secondary coil gl4 to the diaphragm in the resonator gl I, cause vibrating of the diaphragm, resulting in vibrations in the organ pipe which produce the note with the particular quality desired.

The harmonic transformers p, as indicated in Fig. 1, have their primaries comprised of various combinations of the coils connected with the initial sources of oscillations for fundamental and overtones. Thus the impulses sent thru the secondary coils q of the harmonic transformers p are different in the case of each secondary coil q; that is to say, are different for each connected primary coil glli of the transformers gl5, when the corresponding switch is thrown in and the circuit closed by the organ key s. This mixing of initial oscillations thru the medium of the harmonic transformers p makes possible the obtaining of predetermined electric impulses for producing the vibrations of the diaphragm in each of the'resonators gl l best suited for obtaining the most perfect reproduction of the desired tone quality from the organ pipe attached.

The windings of the primary coils p to 216 of the harmonic transformers p are not necessarily all the same. Actually these windings would be different in individual cases, depending on the prominence to be given a particular tone or overtone in a single composite group.

For simplicity of illustration, only one organ key 3, in one of the rows of keys on the organ keyboard, is represented in the diagrammatic drawings in Fig. 1, and only 6 different qualities of tone represented by different organ pipes and organ stops are indicated in the drawings. It is apparent, however, that the number could be greatly increased, depending only upon the size and number of pipes to which it is desired to limit the organ, and also that the same general set-up may be used over several manuals or banks of keys, including the pedal keyboard, and that the various coupling devices may be employed for combining different manuals and different stops which are old in the art and common to ordinary pneumatic electric pipe organs, and which need not be described.

For controlling the intensity or loudness of the particular tone to be produced by the induced current through secondary coil q, an adjustable resistor element t could be placed in the circuit of the coil, such resistor being operable by the player from the keyboard of the instrument. In order to control the intensity of tone in the organ pipe a resistor element can be placed in the circuit of the movable coil of the resonator, as indicated at u, Fig. 1. Various attachments for producing the well-known tremolo or wavy tone effect could be arranged very easily; one of such means being indicated at v in Fig. 1, in which a motor causes an intermittent shunt in a resistance placed in one of the circuits of the resonator, thus causing the intensity of the tone to fluctuate.

It would be possible to have more than one resonator attached to a single organ pipe, as illustrated in Fig. 5a, where resonators a9, all), all, all are all connected to the same organ pipe al3. As indicated in Fig. 5a also the resonators need not always be connected to the base of the organ pipe, but, for different effects, may be connected at various locations at the side of the organ pipe as all in Fig. 5a, similar to the positioning of vibrating reeds in organ pipes.

In Fig. 6 a modified form of my invention is illustrated, the modification consisting in the elimination of the conventional organ pipes. In this modified form the different qualities of tone are dependent entirely upon the combinations of electric impulses which are conveyed to the electrically actuated diaphragm or reed located within a resonator w, to which resonator is attached a modified form of organ pipe w acting in the nature of a megaphone or amplifier. In the preferred construction illustrated in Fig. 1, already described, the qualities of tone are determined the harmonic transformers jointly by the character of the organ pipe attached to the resonator oil and by the character of the electric impulses transmitted to the diaphragm within said resonator. In the modified form illustrated in Fig. 6, only one resonator and pipe are required for each note of the organ keyboard, the same resonator and pipe therefore producing all the variations of tone qualities for that particular note, thus considerably reducing the size and cost of the instrument. While the results in this modified form of my invention, as far as tone qualities are concerned, are not as perfect as those obtainable with my preferred construction illustrated in Fig. 1, nevertheless, sufficiently satisfactory and pleasing variations of tone qualities are obtainable as to be adequate for most purposes. Except for the difference indicated, the construction in Fig. 6 is the same as that in Fig. 1. In Fig. 6, b to bill indicate the rotating elements (similar to rotating elements to M0 in Fig. l) producing the initial electrical oscillations; c' to all! (corresponding to nto all) in Fig. 1) are the stationary secondary coils which are connected thru the medium of bus lines d to the primary coils e of the harmonic transformers e (corresponding to the harmonic transformers" p in Fig. l). The secondary coils c2 of the "harmonic transformers e are connected by switches j operated from the keyboard of the instrument, to the primary coils :r' of the transformer :r, of which the secondary coil as! is connected to the resonator w by the closing of the circuit :rl thru the pressing down of organ key :23. The nature of the electric impulses obtained from e for each note will depend merely upon which switches on the switchboard I are connected. Control of the volume or loudness of each tone produced may be had thru resistor elements such as is indicated at 14, and specific control of the volume of each quality separately may be obtained by placing a similar resistor element in the circuit of each primary coil :r' of the transformer :11, as indicated at 2:1.

The switches 1, similar to the switches r of Fig. 1, may be connected to draw-knobs or stops" located at the organ keyboard and operated by the player. In Fig. 6a, 11 indicates such a draw-knob extending thru the organ console case 11 adjacent to the keyboard, as is customary. "The shank 112 has its inner end (not shown) mechanically connected to a switch f (Fig. 6), ina manner common to ordinary pipe organs, so that the pulling out of the knob 11 connects that particular switch I. and pushing the knob 11 back disconnects the switch. A pin 113 attached to the shank 1 2 is arranged to slide in a slot gut in a guide g5 rigidly attached to the console case to prevent the drawknob and shank being pulled or pushed too far in either direction. For manipulating a resistor element :21 (Fig. 6) to control separately the volume or strength of the specific quality obtainable when the particular switch! is connected by the pulling out of the draw-knob 1!, a rotatable sleeve 6 is provided for convenience about the shank 112, said sleeve 116 at its outer end being connected to an annular dial plate 1/1, adapted to be turned in either direction by the player when the drawknob 1! is pulled out, and said sleeve 1 6 at its inner end having a contact finger ya attached to it and bearing on the stationary resistor element :21.

A tremolo effect may be produced either by such means as shown ate. in Fig. 1, or by the placing of a partial shuttles-".25 inthe pipe 10' and causing the partial shutter to rotate by means of a motor x5.

I claim:

1. In a musical instrument having an elec trically vibrated diaphragm a source of electric impulses,'a transformer connected to said source of electric impulses and to said diaphragm, a switch and a variable resistor element in a circuit of said transformer a draw-knob having 'a shank connected to said switch, said draw-knob located adjacent to the keyboard of said instrument, a rotatable sleeve about said shank, the inner end of said sleeve connected to said resistor element, a rotatable dial affixed to the outer end of said sleeve, said dial located between said draw-knob and the casing of said instrument, whereby the player, after closing said switch by means of said draw-knob, may, by manipulation of said dial, vary the resistance offered by said resistor element.

2. In a musical instrument containing an organ pipe and a diaphragm associated with said pipe, a plurality of separate rotating elements, each arranged to generate an electric current having a different frequency of oscillation, a transformer comprising a plurality of primary coils and a secondary coil, each of said electric currents passing thru one of said primary coils, a magnet and coil associated with said diaphragm adapted to cause said diaphragm to vibrate when an electric current is passed thru said latter mentioned coil, and means connected with said latter mentioned coil and with the secondary coil of said transformer, whereby composite induced current in said secondary coil will operate tocause a modulated predetermined vibration of said diaphragm. I

3. In a musical instrument containing an organ pipe and a diaphragm associated with said pipe, a plurality of separate rotating elements, each arranged to generate an electric current having a. different frequency of oscillation, a series of transformers, each transformer comprising a plurality of primary coils and a secondary coil, each of said primary coils having the electric current produced by one of said rotating elements passing thru said primary coil, each of said transformers arranged with selected groups of primary coils for each secondary coil, whereby a predetermined mixed induced current will be produced in each secondary coil, 2. second transformer having a series of primary coils and a secondary coil, switches connecting the secondary coil of each of said first mentioned transformers to a primary coil of said second transformer, a magnet and coil associated with said diaphragm adapted to cause said diaphragm to vibrate when an electric current is passed thru said coil, and the coil associated with said diaphragm connected to said secondary coil of said second transformer. I

4. The combination described in claim 3 with the peripheries of each of said rotating elements provided with radially disposed, equally spaced, similarly wound poles, the winding of said poles connected to an outside source of electric current, and stationary coils located adjacent to the peripheries of said rotating elements, the winding of said stationary coils being connected to the primary coils of said first mentioned series of transformers.

5.- In a musical instrument containing a diaphragm associated with an organ pipe and capable of being electrically vibrated for producing sound waves, a plurality of sources producing separate electric currents of different frequencies of oscillation, a plurality of transformers, each transformer having primary coils and a secondary coil, each of said primary coils energized by the current from one of said sources, the primary coils for each transformer chosen and arranged according to a predetermined selection whereby to produce a composite induced current in the secondary of such transformer corresponding to a particular grouping of fundamental and harmonic vibrations required for a particular tone quality, and manually operated means by which the induced current in the secondary of each transformer selectively can be made to cause the vibration of said diaphragm.

ROMANN GUENTIER. 

